Irresistible Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Frosting

Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of homemade Apple Cinnamon Rolls topped with luscious Cream Cheese Frosting! This recipe combines fluffy dough with a sweet apple filling, making it the perfect treat for breakfast or dessert. Easy to follow, you'll mix, roll, and bake your way to these irresistible rolls that are sure to impress. Get ready to enjoy a delightful bite of cinnamon-spiced goodness with every roll! 🍏🍩✨

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Ingredients

For the Dough:

4 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup whole milk, warmed

1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

2 large eggs

For the Apple Filling:

2 large apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-3 tablespoons milk (as needed for consistency)

Instructions

Prepare the Dough:

In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and sugar. Mix well. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, instant yeast, and ground cinnamon. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a dough forms.

Knead the Dough:

Transfer the dough to a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Prepare the Filling:

While the dough is rising, mix the diced apples with brown sugar, ground cinnamon, lemon juice, and melted butter in a bowl. Set aside.

Roll Out the Dough:

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and roll it out on a floured surface into a rectangle approximately 16x12 inches.

Add Filling:

Evenly distribute the apple mixture over the dough rectangle, pressing it gently into the surface.

Roll the Dough:

Starting from one long side, tightly roll the dough into a log shape. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and place them in a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.

Second Rise:

Cover the rolls and let them rise again for about 30-45 minutes until they've puffed up.

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Bake the Rolls:

Bake the rolls for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Allow them to cool slightly in the pan before frosting.

Make the Cream Cheese Frosting:

In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired frosting consistency.

Frost the Rolls:

Spread or drizzle the cream cheese frosting over the warm cinnamon rolls, allowing it to melt slightly into every crevice.

Serve:

Enjoy your irresistible apple cinnamon rolls warm for breakfast or as a delightful dessert!

Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours | Servings: 12